Kayla McKeon – Capitol Hill lobbyist with Trisomy 21

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3 responses to “Kayla McKeon – Capitol Hill lobbyist with Trisomy 21”

1. 

   November 1, 2019

   Susan

   Thanks for sharing this, Avivah, and glad you’re up and running again. I’d love to hear your considered opinion on the bill that Kayla was discussing. She expressed her views well, but I can see the other side for those who may not be as high-functioning as she is yet still benefit from having a job. Is there a place in-between taking advantage of someone who is differently-abled and recognizing that an individual who may not be able to provide the same value as another employee can still be a good hire, but it might be difficult to pay them the same salary as an employee who can do more? I may not be expressing this the best way, but I hope you understand what I mean.

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   1. 

      November 5, 2019

      Avivah

      You’re asking a good question, Susan, and I’m not familiar enough with all the specifics to give a good answer. But I’ll share my limited perspective.

      To me, this reflects the bigger question of how people with disabilities are viewed, are they seen as capable or are assumptions made that they can’t perform? Obviously different people are capable of different things and to ignore that is to not be living in reality! I do think that most people with disabilities are much more capable than what is generally presumed but few are given the opportunity to do more; most from the earliest ages are held back and continually given the message that they can’t and they need someone to help them. Hence my very strong reservations about special ed.

      I’m not familiar with the specifics of the current laws regarding employment of those with disabilities, but I am familiar with what has historically been happening and since change happens slowly, I assume that a lot of that is still accurate. When someone with a disability is hired, the employer is often paying a good sum that is paid out to the agency, job coach, or whoever – leaving very little for the person who is actually doing the work. Hence the comments about people with disabilities working for ten cents an hour – that’s actually something that happens. If the governmental middleman was cut out, the disabled could be paid more fairly for their work without most of their earnings being siphoned off to others.

      I don’t believe that everyone is entitled to the same wage, but I do think that everyone *doing the same job* should be paid the same thing (regardless of gender, skin color or disability). If a job is seen as being of less value, then the wage would be less. I understand the thinking behind a minimum wage for everyone but without going into specifics, have concerns about pursuing this as the answer. It won’t work; it’s based on seeing people as victims instead of helping to empower them.

      Since I’m wary of government involvement and support (‘strings’) in general, it’s no surprise that I don’t think the problems are going to be solved at the government level. We can see that is the reality since we have the Americans with Disabilities Act and though passing legislation like this is a move forward, there are still huge limitations in how this plays out in real life.

      As I said, it’s a really big discussion and I feel that my response is grossly inadequate to addressing the various issues at play.

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2. 

   November 1, 2019

   rachelli

   Speechless. An amazing young woman. (I would love to hear an interview with her parents, as I am sure they were instrumental in helping Kayla to get to where she is now.)

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